gender neutral

It was a trend that grew teeth in 2017 and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Gender neutral or genderless clothes has hit the industry and just like the ugly sneaker, was endorsed by the who’s who of the fashion royalty.

This year’s Seoul Fashion week, took the concept to even more interesting heights with their layered-up pinstriped blazers, trench coats and checked menswear tailoring that was worn by both men and women.

The Generation Z’ers have spoken and their voices looked to be jackets with D-ring webbing belts, bandoliers of tiny bags, heavy boots with their trousers and striking hair colours, including orange, platinum blonde or straight jet black.

Let’s look at what highlighting this trend.

In 2017, gender no longer dictated the way people dressed and it was most noticeable that just as trousers were no longer just for men, skirts were no longer just for women. Fashion designers grew bolder in combining men’s and women’s collections on the runway with many launching gender neutral collections.

These androgynous collections usually featured a mixture of loose fitting suits, slogan T-shirts and tailored jackets that are neither overtly feminine nor masculine.

Wildfang, a street inspired label that launched their own collection, looked at gender as a ‘fairly restrictive concept’ and created more freeing concepts.

“Historically, it has dictated what jobs people can do, how someone can act, how someone can dress and that limits someone’s ability to truly self-express and reach their full potential. Gender-neutral clothing doesn’t force someone into a box. It allows them to self-express exactly how they chose to,” said Wildfang CEO, Emma McIlroy.

Eventhough gender fluidity in fashion may not be as mainstream as it could be, it is slowly and steadily becoming more and more popular with the fashionistas, as the new normal and a lifestyle choice.

The pull for genderless clothes is not about having an agenda for LGBT movement; rather it is about free expression for all.

In this day and age, these clothes are not defined by gender, or have a predetermined demographic, rather the aim is for them to just be worn by people.

The novelty of it all has opened doors for many a designer to unleash their creativity, while allowing the consumer to be free in liking and wearing clothes without the worry of whether it is for a man or a woman. It is just clothes.

Tanmay Saxena, founder of London-based unisex label LaneFortyfive believes “it’s already very hard to break the metaphorical walls and create equality in the times we live in. I feel unisex clothing is a small but effective way to roll out a line of conversation towards a broader dialogue about equality”.

Stephen Doig, men’s style editor at The Telegraph agrees: “It’s a natural progression in a world where, thankfully, there’s more acceptance of gender fluidity”.

It can be said that with unisex clothes becoming even more mainstream, the easing of gender roles and constructs may follow the trend and become more fluid as well.

Most university students have already settled into their dorm rooms for the new academic year. However, students going to Ryerson University in downtown Toronto may find the organization of those dorm rooms a bit different.

Ryerson has decided to no longer segregate students based on gender. As a new student you don’t have to self identify; you can now choose an all gender option as a rooming choice. Once you choose all gender, you will be matched with another person who specified that preference.

This decision at Ryerson follows the steps taken by the Ontario University Application Centre to remove the mandatory gender question when completing an application.

The experience of moving away from home and into a university residence can be traumatizing. Students are unsure of what to expect and their whole social environment changes. Ian Crooskhank, the director of Housing and Residence Life, is hopeful this change will make students more comfortable, as they no longer are forced to confirm or make a choice based on gender.

Ryerson isn’t the first school to adopt gender-neutral policies. For the upcoming school year in California, the San Jose Unified School District will make similar changes. The school district will ensure there is at least one gender neutral bathroom on all campuses at the end of the academic year. This comes in response for demands to change the state law. The gender- inclusive restrooms are an accomplishment for the on-campus LGBTQ community. However, gender neutral locker rooms are not allowed.

Just a few days ago, popular high-end retailer, John Lewis , announced some clothing changes. The department store will remove boys and girls labels from children’s clothing. This move is a push to stop reinforcing gender stereotypes on children. This is the first major retailer to make this move. The gender- neutral clothing option for children will now feature the label ‘Boys and Girls’ clothing on the items. In July of this year, Target stores in the U.S unveiled a new gender neutral clothing line for kids after dropping two brands.

In response to the all gender decision at Ryerson campus housing, Director Crookshank remarked in an official release:

“People come from everywhere and have different journeys, and I think it’s important anytime we can take something that has traditionally been structured to put people in boxes, and open up those boxes, that creates a huge sense of empowerment for those who might otherwise have been marginalized.”

Let us know in the comments below your thoughts on gender- neutral options.

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